AUTWORM FIRST GRAZER Pulsatile-Release Intraruminal Device for CATTLE - ZOETIS - oxfendazole 8750 mg - benzimidazole

Brand: AUTOWORM ® FIRST GRAZER

Company: ZOETIS

DELIVERY FORM: slow-release bolus for oral administration.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT(S): oxfendazole 6250 mg per device

CHEMICAL CLASS of the active ingredient(s): benzimidazole

INDICATIONS: CATTLE

between 100 and 400 kg at the day of administration

PARASITES CONTROLLED (spectrum of activity)

RECOMMENDED DOSE*

* Country-specific differences may apply: read the product label.

  • One intraruminal device per animal weighing 100 to 400 kg. For administration to cattle weighing between 100 kg and 400 kg at the time the bolus is given. Designed for dosing prior to turnout of cattle in their first grazing season.
  • In grazing cattle, the device will deliver seven doses of oxfendazole (1250 mg each) for the treatment of both adult and immature gastro-intestinal roundworms, lungworms and tapeworms at regular intervals of approximately three weeks during a period of approximately 21 weeks, the first dose being released around three weeks after administration. The device thus delivers a programmed therapeutic anthelmintic dosing regime over a period of approximately twenty-one weeks.
  • Administer orally using the Autoworm Bolus Applicator which delivers the bolus directly into the top of the gullet.

SAFETY

  • LD50 (acute oral) in rats: >6400 mg/kg (for the a.i.)

Suspected poisoning? Read the article on oxfendazole safety in this site.

Withholding periods (=withdrawal times) for meat & milk (country-specific differences may apply: read the product label)

  • Meat: UK 8 months
  • Milk for human consumption: not for use in cattle producing milk for human consumption, nor for cattle within eight months of an expected calving date which precedes the production of milk for human consumption.

WARNING !!!: Never use on humans, dogs or cats

You may be interested in the following articles in this site dealing with the general safety of veterinary products:

RESISTANCE PREVENTION

Risk of resistance? YES, resistance of gastrointestinal roundworms to all benzimidazoles (incl. oxfendazole) in ruminants is a very serious and increasing problem worldwide, particularly in sheep and goats, but also in cattle. The most affected worm species in cattle are: Cooperia spp, Haemonchus spp, Ostertagia spp, Trichostrongylus spp, Oesophagostomum spp.

This means that if this product does not achieve the expected efficacy against the mentioned parasites, it can be due to resistance and not to incorrect use, which is usually the most frequent cause of product failure.

Alternative chemical classes/active ingredients to prevent resistance of gastrointestinal roundworms through product rotation:

These alternative products may not be available in all countries, or may not be effective against all the concerned parasites.

It is highly recommended to periodically check the resistance status of each property performing appropriate tests (e.g. fecal egg counts) under supervision of a veterinary doctor. Such tests are now routinely available for most producers in developed countries.

Learn more about resistance and how it develops.

MARKETING

Are the active ingredients of this product ORIGINAL* or GENERICS**?

  • GENERIC (introduced in the 1970s)

*Meaning that they are still patent protected and generics are not yet available
**Meaning that they have lost patent protection and may be acquired from manufacturers of generic active ingredients other than the holder of the original patent.

COUNTRIES where this brand/product is marketed: UK
GENERIC BRANDS available? Not many in the form of slow-release bolus so far.

Click here to learn more about GENERIC vs. ORIGINAL drugs.

For an overview on the most used drench or capsule brands for livestock click here.

COMMENTS

AUTOWORM FIRST GRAZER is a slow-release device brand from ZOETIS with oxfendazole. Each bolus contains a total of 8750 mg oxfendazole, presented in 7 individual tablets of 1250 mg each. The bolus also comprises a corroding alloy core and mild steel end weight to prevent regurgitation.

Oxfendazole is a veteran benzimidazole introduced in the 1970s (by WELLCOME, SYNTEX). It has a broad-spectrum of activity against roundworms (gastrointestinal and pulmonary) and tapeworms (dose-dependent) but is ineffective against flukes. Oxfendazole also kills eggs of roundworms (ovicidal activity). As all benzimidazoles, oxfendazole has no efficacy whatsoever against external parasites (ticks, flies, lice, mites, etc). Among the benzimidazoles oxfendazole is quite comparable with fenbendazole in terms of efficacy and safety. It is moderately used in livestock and horses, rather scarcely in pets, and not at all in agriculture.

Click here for general information on good practices for the prevention and control of gastrointestinal worms in livestock.

DISCLAIMER

This article IS NOT A PRODUCT LABEL. It offers complementary information that may be useful to veterinary professionals and users that are not familiar with veterinary antiparasitics. 

Information offered in this article has been extracted from publications issued by manufacturers, government agencies (e.g. EMEA, FDA, USDA, etc.) or in the scientific literature. No guarantee is given on its accuracy, integrity, sufficiency, actuality and opportunity, and any liability is denied. Read the site's DISCLAIMER.

In case of doubt contact the manufacturer or a veterinary professional.

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